French philosopher Jacques Derrida, Oct. 9

AP/ Alexis Duclos, file

French philosopher Jacques Derrida, revered as the founder of the deconstructionist school, died of pancreatic cancer in a Paris hospital on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. He was 74. His prolific writings, criticized by some as obscure and nihilist, argue that there are multiple meanings in literature -- and also in fields such as art, music, architecture -- not necessarily intended or even understood by the creator of the work.

French philosopher Jacques Derrida, revered as the founder of the deconstructionist school, died of pancreatic cancer in a Paris hospital on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. He was 74. His prolific writings, criticized by some as obscure and nihilist, argue that there are multiple meanings in literature -- and also in fields such as art, music, architecture -- not necessarily intended or even understood by the creator of the work. (AP/ Alexis Duclos, file)

French philosopher Jacques Derrida, revered as the founder of the deconstructionist school, died of pancreatic cancer in a Paris hospital on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004. He was 74. His prolific writings, criticized by some as obscure and nihilist, argue that there are multiple meanings in literature -- and also in fields such as art, music, architecture -- not necessarily intended or even understood by the creator of the work.